Driving in Queensland on a foreign licence: visitors and new residents (2026)
According to the Queensland Government, checked on 31 October 2026, visitors can drive with a valid overseas licence, while people with a resident visa must get a Queensland licence once they have been living in Queensland for 3 months; temporary visas do not count as resident visas.
These rules differ from place to place, and they change. We quote the official pages word for word, with the date we checked them; this is information, not legal advice. Car rental companies and insurers can ask for more than the law, for example an international driving permit or a translation: ask them before you book.
At a glance
| Visitors | Allowed on a valid overseas licence (no time limit stated) |
|---|---|
| New residents | Resident visa holders: a Queensland licence after 3 months living in Queensland |
| IDP and translation | Licence not in English: carry a recognised English translation (NAATI) |
| UK licence, exchange without tests | Recognised country (the page names the United Kingdom as an example) |
| US licence, exchange without tests | Not stated on the pages we read |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 |
What the official sources say
Visitors and tourists
If you're visiting Queensland, you can drive if you have a valid interstate or overseas licence. If you move to Queensland, you will have to transfer your licence to a Queensland licence.
Source: Queensland Government: Driving in Queensland on an interstate or overseas licence (Queensland Government), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
If you move there
are not an Australian citizen, but you were given a resident visa before you moved to Queensland and you've been living in Queensland for 3 months
A resident visa is a permanent visa or special category visa under the Migration Act 1958 (Commonwealth). These visas allow a person to stay indefinitely in Australia. These don't include temporary, business or guardian visas.
Source: Queensland Government: Driving in Queensland on an interstate or overseas licence (Queensland Government), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
International driving permit and translation
If your licence isn't in English, you should carry a recognised English translation of it when you're driving. Show this translation to police when you have to show your driver licence.
Source: Queensland Government: Driving in Queensland on an interstate or overseas licence (Queensland Government), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Exchanging your licence
The requirements to transfer your overseas licence vary depending on whether your licence is from: New Zealand A recognised country or jurisdiction (such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore) A non-recognised country (such as China, India, South Korea, Taiwan)
Source: Queensland Government: Transferring to a Queensland licence (Queensland Government), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Hire a car in Queensland
Hiring a car in Queensland? Compare rental companies and prices on DiscoverCars. Check the licence rules above before you book: the rental company can ask for more than the law, such as an IDP or a translation.
Compare car hire in Queensland
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Visiting Australia?
Driving in Australia, do you need an international driving permit? UK licence · Canadian licence
Other states and territories in Australia
Canada, Australia and New Zealand: every province, state and territory in one table
Questions
Can I drive in Queensland with an overseas licence?
“If you're visiting Queensland, you can drive if you have a valid interstate or overseas licence. If you move to Queensland, you will have to transfer your licence to a Queensland licence.”
How long can you drive on an overseas licence in Queensland?
The page gives no limit for visitors. Among the cases in which you can’t drive in Queensland on an overseas licence, it lists when you “are not an Australian citizen, but you were given a resident visa before you moved to Queensland and you've been living in Queensland for 3 months” “A resident visa is a permanent visa or special category visa under the Migration Act 1958 (Commonwealth). These visas allow a person to stay indefinitely in Australia. These don't include temporary, business or guardian visas.”
Is this legal advice for driving in Queensland?
No. We quote the Queensland Government word for word, as read on 31 October 2026. Rules change, and car rental companies and insurers can ask for more than the law: check with them and with the official page before you drive.
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